LATEST | Rick Tocchet sends a clear message at Andrei Kuzmenko

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Felip Gosselin
October 21, 2023 (11:51)

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The Canucks will be playing the Florida Panthers tonight; they'll be taking the ice showing a 2-2 record. While it isn't perfect, there's been lots of positives from the Canucks' season debut, including performances from J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and, obviously, Thatcher Demko.

SOME PLAYERS NEED TO STEP IT UP

As expected, not everybody's showings have been as strong. Tyler Myers has once again been pointed out. Anthony Beauvilier, who is on a contract year, has sometimes been okay. Conor Garland, who asks for a trade-out, has difficulty proving his worth. Then there's Andrei Kuzmenko, the Russian who scored 39 goals last year, has yet to make an impact and only has 2 points through 4 games despite playing line minutes and top power play minutes.

TOCCHET SENDS A MESSAGE TO KUZMENKO

In preparation for their meeting with the Panthers tonight, the team's Head Coach met with the media, spoke about a few changes, and named certain players that need to step it up. Here's what he had to say about the team's number 96:

"I think he's struggling," said Tocchet of Kuzmenko's slow start to the season.

"He's confused about certain things. If he moves his feet and stays closer to his teammates, he'll get out of this."

Tocchet thinks Mikheyev's return to the line can help. #Canucks �'

Perhaps changing his line will help; it's already been confirmed that Ilya Mikheyev will return to Pettersson's wing. During their time together last year, they were one of the most dominant lines at 5-on-5, and the Canucks could use the help in that department.

Andrei Kuzmenko inked a two-year, $11M deal after collecting 74 points last year. Hopefully, he'll find his scoring touch and pick up right where he left off.